The first thought that would be running through my mind would be 'How did I get into this mess?'. I'd reflect on how I had been caught, tied up and pushed to the edge of the bridge and regret what I had done to get there and think of what I could have done differently. I would be struggling to escape but being very careful as any misstep could be the misstep of doom.
Then I would relax a little and hopefully try to get my captors to lower their guard somewhat. My thoughts would probably be frantic and running through my head a million times faster than normal. My heart would be racing and I would panic and think of the people that I love the most. My family in Malaysia, my host family in America, all my best friends that I would never see again and immediately feel guilt for not catching up to them more often and for not thinking of them first before thinking about my impending death,
I would then think of my bucket list and all my regrets along with all the things I had not done which I had wished to do. I'd start my last attempt at struggling and praying. I'd regret not going to church more, not reading the bible more and wondering whether Saint Peter would let me in at the gates of heaven. I'd pray the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory be and hope.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Thoreau explains his aim to live a simple life. Write about your goals for living. Thoreau uses details that show his goals and values. Be sure that your details reflect your values in life as well.
It's hard to think about and state a fixed idea about what an eighteen year old wants to do with her life. Despite some teenagers fully knowing what field they want to step into, I am still undecided. My generic goals however would be to protect the innocent and help them. To me, I would like to be a veterinarian and then go into conservation because I believe that the human race has been entrusted to take care of the less intelligent and sentient beings which we are not necessarily doing. At the same time, I do have a musical background and I do not want to abandon that. Rather, I would like to use it to becomes musical therapist for both animals and humans. Helping people and animals to see the right path is my goal.
For some reason, the sense and self satisfaction of helping others seems deeply rooted in me and though we should help others without receiving anything, though I do feel conflicted at times, this is what I believe I should do with my life and what my goals are. I do believe that everyone is on Earth for a purpose and that though we all choose are own destiny, it is predestined for us. Everyone has a part in this world and hopefully positive goals and values will reach it.
For some reason, the sense and self satisfaction of helping others seems deeply rooted in me and though we should help others without receiving anything, though I do feel conflicted at times, this is what I believe I should do with my life and what my goals are. I do believe that everyone is on Earth for a purpose and that though we all choose are own destiny, it is predestined for us. Everyone has a part in this world and hopefully positive goals and values will reach it.
Monday, April 7, 2014
What are some modern conveniences that we take for granted in our lives? Do we really need these items? Explain.
Two moden conveniences that I believe we really take for granted are electricity and water board systems. Particularly, when I came to America and the snow storm hit, people I was staying with at that time just started complaining and would not stop until the power came on 24 hours later. Some people only had electricity 5 days later and others are used to power black-outs in Malaysia and also India. For one full day, hardly anyone in Krygyzstan can have electricity.
In terms of the water board system, granted that it would only be cold water pumping out of the system, complaints never stopped. I find myself thinking hat if we are so dependent on electrical appliances even for entertainment then where are we? Can we not play outsideor amuse ourselves with board games? Must we watch movies while draining laptop battery power?
Granted that electricity is necessary to do work and a lot of companies are fully dependent or almost fully dependent on electricity, we take for granted that these items are not really necessities but wants that sometimes might not be fulfilled. Are we so useless that at every loss of a want would cause us to be babies and whine for the next day and a half till we get electricity back? Is it not obvious then that we cannot control the weather, when the next snowstorm or tornado will come or even how much global warming can affect our lives as we see it today.
In terms of the water board system, granted that it would only be cold water pumping out of the system, complaints never stopped. I find myself thinking hat if we are so dependent on electrical appliances even for entertainment then where are we? Can we not play outsideor amuse ourselves with board games? Must we watch movies while draining laptop battery power?
Granted that electricity is necessary to do work and a lot of companies are fully dependent or almost fully dependent on electricity, we take for granted that these items are not really necessities but wants that sometimes might not be fulfilled. Are we so useless that at every loss of a want would cause us to be babies and whine for the next day and a half till we get electricity back? Is it not obvious then that we cannot control the weather, when the next snowstorm or tornado will come or even how much global warming can affect our lives as we see it today.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
In what ways do people today still struggle with tensions between individuality and conformity?
Whether people are young or old, people of all ages still struggle with self-actualization and discovery of whether they prefer to be a unique individual or to conform with the rest of the crowd. As a younger child and a teenager, it is particularly hard to not conform as everyone wants to accepted and to fit in with the crowd. They struggle with the way they dress, how they talk and whether or not they study or even have cell phones. This is why it is so important to have a select group of good friends that have acceptable behavior at a young age, because young people are so impressionable.
As young people grow up, the tendency is to be independent and people struggle with what they feel are chains or bars drawn up by their parents to protect them. It is then that there is danger of being a rebel is greatest. As an adult, people still struggle with tensions whether they should dress proper and look presentable at the workplace even when they hate the way that they have to dress.
It depends on each individual as they continue to grow to choose which they prefer. Standing out is not easy and one can get mercilessly teased for being different. One would have to have a thick skin and be a strong-willed person. Being a person who prefers to conform with others, is a lot easier and to fit in the crowd, to not be teased or bullied is a good thing, but if a sense of individuality is strong, then one would find it hard to conform. I would suggest that life can be hard and though it may be hard to conform or not to conform, individuals should pick their own path because of what they want and not because it is a path that someone else pushes them on.
As young people grow up, the tendency is to be independent and people struggle with what they feel are chains or bars drawn up by their parents to protect them. It is then that there is danger of being a rebel is greatest. As an adult, people still struggle with tensions whether they should dress proper and look presentable at the workplace even when they hate the way that they have to dress.
It depends on each individual as they continue to grow to choose which they prefer. Standing out is not easy and one can get mercilessly teased for being different. One would have to have a thick skin and be a strong-willed person. Being a person who prefers to conform with others, is a lot easier and to fit in the crowd, to not be teased or bullied is a good thing, but if a sense of individuality is strong, then one would find it hard to conform. I would suggest that life can be hard and though it may be hard to conform or not to conform, individuals should pick their own path because of what they want and not because it is a path that someone else pushes them on.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
In what ways do individuals make a difference in our society?
Individuals can change the course of our world. Despite, some people's pessimistic views that individual cannot change history, individuals can and have done so. Some of the most notable ways that individuals have made a difference in our society include people active in the gay rights movement, the civil rights movement, in the abolition movement and others. Individuals advocate for certain minorities in our society making life better for them and also opening up the rest of society's eyes to the change that needs to occur.
For example, despite Abraham Lincoln being a poor farmer and later selling newspaper, he gave himself an education, became the President of the United States of America and also put an end to slavery, winning the Civil War and issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. Though he was assassinated, he managed to be instrumental in changing society's perception of African-Americans and this is one way in which individuals can change the world.
Other notable ways include being an athlete be it in sports or through dancing. Amy Purdy, a double amputee who won a bronze medal in this year's Paralympics in Sochi, is on the popular show Dancing With The Stars and is constantly inspiring others that people can do anything and at is one way in which people can change the world.
Novels, newspapers and music can also change the world. The song, 'We are the world' raised awareness for the poor and the homeless, newspapers have published articles about poverty in Africa, novels, though some are fiction, have been prominent in society including Ralph Emerson's.
There is no fixed way in which an individual can make their impact in the world but each individual has his or her own trademark and everyone makes a difference be it influencing the masses or a small group of people.
For example, despite Abraham Lincoln being a poor farmer and later selling newspaper, he gave himself an education, became the President of the United States of America and also put an end to slavery, winning the Civil War and issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. Though he was assassinated, he managed to be instrumental in changing society's perception of African-Americans and this is one way in which individuals can change the world.
Other notable ways include being an athlete be it in sports or through dancing. Amy Purdy, a double amputee who won a bronze medal in this year's Paralympics in Sochi, is on the popular show Dancing With The Stars and is constantly inspiring others that people can do anything and at is one way in which people can change the world.
Novels, newspapers and music can also change the world. The song, 'We are the world' raised awareness for the poor and the homeless, newspapers have published articles about poverty in Africa, novels, though some are fiction, have been prominent in society including Ralph Emerson's.
There is no fixed way in which an individual can make their impact in the world but each individual has his or her own trademark and everyone makes a difference be it influencing the masses or a small group of people.
Monday, March 31, 2014
How much power do ours gmail institutions (church, gov etc) have in our society? Support with specific examples.
Depending on the size of the community or population be it in a metropolitan area or a town area, only then can we determine or form opinions of how much power a particular institution has. For example, in a small community, a church would have more power in not only convincing more percentage of the population to conform to the beliefs of that church but also in running activities and volunteer work which citizens of that area would participate in. Same goes for the government as it is more likely that more people participate in government activities or go to government run events as there are less activities to pick from.
In a metropolitan or big city area such as New York City or Massachusetts, there would be many more churches, government activities and also more non-governmental organizations. The percentage of people adhering to those formal institutions lifestyle or recognizing that power over them is slimmer.
Having said that, delegated powers and reserved powers have a big impact and influence and power in our society. States power include schools which determine the education of the younger generation. Though parents are widely acknowledged as the teachers and role models for children, due to peer pressure and school children as friends, lots of children get influenced by friends. Therefore the environment and discipline in schools are elements that are vital and have a lot of power over the society.
Formal institutions also have the power to block or edit movies and sites that are deemed inappropriate. Though these institutions are more active in Asian societies such as China and Malaysia, this still occurs in more liberal societies particularly in ratings for movies in cinemas. Though American societies are far more liberal and allow religion-based channels which differ from countries such as Malaysia where religion is considered a sensitive issue, lots of shows are regulated.
Other such examples include organizations that regulate medicine, food and prices for goods such as sugar, salt, oil and others in some countries. Singapore also has a policy in which the government can delegate more money towards families that have more than one child and offer benefits for those families. On the flip side, China maintains its strict one-child policy.
Depending on the amount of power agreed by the people in a democracy to offer the government or how much power a dictator takes in the social contract theory, this will determine the amount of power that a formal institution has over the people. Though the power may be by law in terms of the government or a given power in the case of the Vatican and preachers, all power is envied, respected and coveted and this power is used carefully so as not to abuse it.
In a metropolitan or big city area such as New York City or Massachusetts, there would be many more churches, government activities and also more non-governmental organizations. The percentage of people adhering to those formal institutions lifestyle or recognizing that power over them is slimmer.
Having said that, delegated powers and reserved powers have a big impact and influence and power in our society. States power include schools which determine the education of the younger generation. Though parents are widely acknowledged as the teachers and role models for children, due to peer pressure and school children as friends, lots of children get influenced by friends. Therefore the environment and discipline in schools are elements that are vital and have a lot of power over the society.
Formal institutions also have the power to block or edit movies and sites that are deemed inappropriate. Though these institutions are more active in Asian societies such as China and Malaysia, this still occurs in more liberal societies particularly in ratings for movies in cinemas. Though American societies are far more liberal and allow religion-based channels which differ from countries such as Malaysia where religion is considered a sensitive issue, lots of shows are regulated.
Other such examples include organizations that regulate medicine, food and prices for goods such as sugar, salt, oil and others in some countries. Singapore also has a policy in which the government can delegate more money towards families that have more than one child and offer benefits for those families. On the flip side, China maintains its strict one-child policy.
Depending on the amount of power agreed by the people in a democracy to offer the government or how much power a dictator takes in the social contract theory, this will determine the amount of power that a formal institution has over the people. Though the power may be by law in terms of the government or a given power in the case of the Vatican and preachers, all power is envied, respected and coveted and this power is used carefully so as not to abuse it.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Melville's character, Captain Ahab, is determined to the point of obsession. While Americans tend to admire persistence, can one be too determined?
The definition of persistence by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is that persistence is the quality that allows someone to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult or opposed by other people. On the other hand, obsession is defined as a state in which someone thinks about someone or something constantly or frequently especially in a way that is not normal. There is a clear difference between the meaning of these two words as is evident by the definitions.
Persistence is continuing to try to overcome hard obstacle, to do a hundred sit-ups or to run four miles consistently under 10 minutes but there is a point where persisting too much can be considered obsession. Though it is difficult to draw the yardstick and there may be many gray areas that vary from individual to individual, usually one can be considered obsessed with doing something if it is constantly on their mind and they practically drop everything for one person or one thing.
One can be too determined when one starts losing sleep over track training or not doing their homework in order to beat their personal best. If everything one thinks about is track track track and they cease to have a life outside of track then that can be considered obsession. Though it is good to have determination and while many agree that one needs determination in order to succeed, it ceases to be positive determination and becomes something negative like obsession if one is not careful.
Obsession over studies, spotting, is not good neither is obsession over weight which causes individuals to begin to have eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia. Many negative effects can happen because of too much determination so while it is a good thing, we should be careful to not go overboard.
Persistence is continuing to try to overcome hard obstacle, to do a hundred sit-ups or to run four miles consistently under 10 minutes but there is a point where persisting too much can be considered obsession. Though it is difficult to draw the yardstick and there may be many gray areas that vary from individual to individual, usually one can be considered obsessed with doing something if it is constantly on their mind and they practically drop everything for one person or one thing.
One can be too determined when one starts losing sleep over track training or not doing their homework in order to beat their personal best. If everything one thinks about is track track track and they cease to have a life outside of track then that can be considered obsession. Though it is good to have determination and while many agree that one needs determination in order to succeed, it ceases to be positive determination and becomes something negative like obsession if one is not careful.
Obsession over studies, spotting, is not good neither is obsession over weight which causes individuals to begin to have eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia. Many negative effects can happen because of too much determination so while it is a good thing, we should be careful to not go overboard.
Monday, March 10, 2014
What do you think is the most important quality of Gothic stories? Is it the ability to shock and frighten or the ability to create suspense and mystery? Explain.
I think that the ability to create suspense and mystery is far more important than creating shock and the ability to frighten people today. After watching several horror movies or even normal movies, the scenes in which people are going to be shocked by a ghost or a supernatural being can be easily predicted. When the music gets soft and quiet and the lights get dimmer, you can just predict that something or someone is going to come out to shock you. In these circumstances, the shock is no longer a surprise but an expected event which then loses its quality.
On the other hand, creating suspense and mystery is way more important in Gothic stories because it allows your mind to play tricks on yourself. You start imagining possible scenarios and frightening yourself before you have even finished the plot. Unless you skim or rush through a Gothic story, even people with the least vivid imaginations will get more scared than if it is just a shock as then you yourself imagine your worst fears and those fears start to become reality to you even though it is not. You will try to solve the mystery or think of a likely ending or outcome after the suspenseful moment and it will be all the worse when it is Gothic horror because your imagination plants scary images and ideas which no matter how surprising a moment of shock is or how scary that frightening moment is, that moment is never as scary as your own imagination.
On the other hand, creating suspense and mystery is way more important in Gothic stories because it allows your mind to play tricks on yourself. You start imagining possible scenarios and frightening yourself before you have even finished the plot. Unless you skim or rush through a Gothic story, even people with the least vivid imaginations will get more scared than if it is just a shock as then you yourself imagine your worst fears and those fears start to become reality to you even though it is not. You will try to solve the mystery or think of a likely ending or outcome after the suspenseful moment and it will be all the worse when it is Gothic horror because your imagination plants scary images and ideas which no matter how surprising a moment of shock is or how scary that frightening moment is, that moment is never as scary as your own imagination.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Do you agree that there is darkness within us all? Explain.
No man is perfect. No man is without sin. No man can claim to be free of the Seven Deadly Sins some of which include greed, lust and hate. All those deadly sins are full of darkness and since no man is free of them, no man can be free of darkness. Darkness blinds our eyes and covers our ears and prevents us from loving one another.
Darkness brings temptation. Everyone has succumbed to temptation before and we know how that feels so having darkness is nothing new to any of us. From speaking out of turn in class, to not finishing given class work to taking drugs or drinking underage or drinking and driving, these are all examples of common temptations which most of us are unable to get rid of. If I were to stand up and put this question to the floor, 'Has anyone lied before? Raise your hand,', I am sure that everyone's hand would be raised. If they did not raise their hand then they would be lying once again.
There is no way to be fully rid of darkness while we are living. Darkness will perpetually follow us and be sly and conniving to try to get us to succumb to that darkness. All we can do to be good and humans worthy of living on this beautiful, picturesque Earth with a vast variety of flora and fauna is to strive to live in the light and shy away from the snarling tendrils of darkness that so easily tempted one of God's angels and in doing so, created the Devil. We should think before we speak, listen keenly, observe with our eyes and follow our consciences.
Darkness brings temptation. Everyone has succumbed to temptation before and we know how that feels so having darkness is nothing new to any of us. From speaking out of turn in class, to not finishing given class work to taking drugs or drinking underage or drinking and driving, these are all examples of common temptations which most of us are unable to get rid of. If I were to stand up and put this question to the floor, 'Has anyone lied before? Raise your hand,', I am sure that everyone's hand would be raised. If they did not raise their hand then they would be lying once again.
There is no way to be fully rid of darkness while we are living. Darkness will perpetually follow us and be sly and conniving to try to get us to succumb to that darkness. All we can do to be good and humans worthy of living on this beautiful, picturesque Earth with a vast variety of flora and fauna is to strive to live in the light and shy away from the snarling tendrils of darkness that so easily tempted one of God's angels and in doing so, created the Devil. We should think before we speak, listen keenly, observe with our eyes and follow our consciences.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Why can dreamlike settings be powerful in literature and film?
Most people like to see happy endings or happy scenes in a film or in a novel. To reach the pinnacle of an amazing film and novel and then to read that the main character dies and the ending is as sad as can be would be a let down. Despite some novels doing exactly that like 'My Sister's Keeper', the epilogue contains a beautiful dreamlike ending and beautiful scenes in the pages of the novel. Most people dream of having such a good ending and to give that ending to them would encourage their pursuit of happiness which brings them easily to Cloud Nine.
This perpetuates the idea that everyone can have their own happiness which is what all individuals want and would love to have. To be immersed in such a scene and to truly believe that you can have the dreamlike quality which could be throughout the film can sometimes have tremendous effects on the readers.
A good film can make you laugh, cry and smile during that one to three hours that it captivates you attention. A good book can do the same. Great actors, actresses and writers can easily create a believable atmosphere and transport the reader or audience into the time frame. If people can cry at sad scenes which they do not want to happen, can you imagine their feelings during a dreamlike scene in which they yearn for themselves?
Some readers may begin to emulate their favorite character in that particular scene or act differently as they are in that dreamlike state. These settings are so powerful simply because people yearn to have that setting in their lives and easily believe that this could happen. There are some skeptical individuals but optimism and to be lost in a book or a film can easily override that pessimism and those practical ideas.
Ballet Shoes - Movie Trailer - YouTube
This perpetuates the idea that everyone can have their own happiness which is what all individuals want and would love to have. To be immersed in such a scene and to truly believe that you can have the dreamlike quality which could be throughout the film can sometimes have tremendous effects on the readers.
A good film can make you laugh, cry and smile during that one to three hours that it captivates you attention. A good book can do the same. Great actors, actresses and writers can easily create a believable atmosphere and transport the reader or audience into the time frame. If people can cry at sad scenes which they do not want to happen, can you imagine their feelings during a dreamlike scene in which they yearn for themselves?
Some readers may begin to emulate their favorite character in that particular scene or act differently as they are in that dreamlike state. These settings are so powerful simply because people yearn to have that setting in their lives and easily believe that this could happen. There are some skeptical individuals but optimism and to be lost in a book or a film can easily override that pessimism and those practical ideas.
Ballet Shoes - Movie Trailer - YouTube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaFAOBwIM0M
Thursday, February 27, 2014
What can happen if a secret is kept too long?
I figure that for the majority of society, people have trouble keeping secrets. No man is an island nor is he meant to be. Secrets, for me, are like burdens that keep on piling up after time. I figure no one can keep a secret unless he or she forgets it which does not count at all! Everyone talks and everyone has friends if not good or best friends. The tendency for a secret to come out, then, is very high.
Two things that tend to happen when a secret is kept too long. Firstly, to the individual who has this secret, he or she may feel overburdened with keeping that secret to himself or herself. So that individual will then confide in someone else. Sometimes talking to someone may alleviate the pain or joy of that secret. If the secret is not meant to be kept secret then that will be fine but there are two other outcomes if the secret cannot be let out into the open and if the person with the secret makes the other individual swear not to tell anyone.
If you tell someone and then bind him or her to secrecy, and that secret is kept too long, the first thing that could occur is that he or she forgets that secret. Then, the secret may be taken to the grave. However, flashbacks of what has happened in the past caused by a trigger of maybe the friend who told them the secret, may cause the individual to remember that secret.
Provided that the secret is remembered, if the secret is kept too long, it may be hard for the individual to constantly keep the secret. We are human after all and when a certain topic is brought up individuals like to bring up new matter to the table to show either their popularity with others or that they can fit in with the group well or even to make them look or sound good or be viewed that way by other members of the group. Then, it is very hard to keep a straight face and zip mouths as the compulsion to blurt out the secret may be strong.
Then, people may just blurt it out. Since it has been kept secret for a while, if the individual wants to tell his friend's secret, it will be easy to rational the reason for blurting the secret out. 'It's been such a long time I'm sure he won't mind,' or 'It's not relevant now,' are common examples of how people can rationale that action. You will though, feel your conscience telling you not to and guilt-tripping you over that secret.
Two things that tend to happen when a secret is kept too long. Firstly, to the individual who has this secret, he or she may feel overburdened with keeping that secret to himself or herself. So that individual will then confide in someone else. Sometimes talking to someone may alleviate the pain or joy of that secret. If the secret is not meant to be kept secret then that will be fine but there are two other outcomes if the secret cannot be let out into the open and if the person with the secret makes the other individual swear not to tell anyone.
If you tell someone and then bind him or her to secrecy, and that secret is kept too long, the first thing that could occur is that he or she forgets that secret. Then, the secret may be taken to the grave. However, flashbacks of what has happened in the past caused by a trigger of maybe the friend who told them the secret, may cause the individual to remember that secret.
Provided that the secret is remembered, if the secret is kept too long, it may be hard for the individual to constantly keep the secret. We are human after all and when a certain topic is brought up individuals like to bring up new matter to the table to show either their popularity with others or that they can fit in with the group well or even to make them look or sound good or be viewed that way by other members of the group. Then, it is very hard to keep a straight face and zip mouths as the compulsion to blurt out the secret may be strong.
Then, people may just blurt it out. Since it has been kept secret for a while, if the individual wants to tell his friend's secret, it will be easy to rational the reason for blurting the secret out. 'It's been such a long time I'm sure he won't mind,' or 'It's not relevant now,' are common examples of how people can rationale that action. You will though, feel your conscience telling you not to and guilt-tripping you over that secret.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Have you ever observed greedy behavior in others? Explain the situation.
I have observed greedy behavior in others. A particular public incident in which I observed gluttony was when a crowd of people were invited to the Chief Minister's public residence last year for an open house in conjunction with Hari Raya which concluded the fasting month for the Muslims. Despite being given a humongous free buffet and graciously accepting, a vast number of people actually brought plastic containers with them as well. The plastic containers were brought to take away some of the delicious food prepared. The shocking attitude of those who even brought back some of the food was appalling. This incident made national news the next day and sparked a cry of astonishment among citizens of Malaysia. How could one be so ungrateful of what one was given and take more.
Photographers managed to capture expressions of greed on the faces of gluttons as they spooned out extra food into their containers to bring home. This shocking incident is a reminder to all people that we should be very grateful for what we have received and not be greedy to want more as not only is it a poor way of showing gratitude to the individuals who have given you so much but also as you never know when your actions may be seen by others or even recorded by others as these were.
Some may have not meant any harm by it and not meant to be greedy but this serves as a reminder to think before we act and to be aware not to put ourselves in positions that can serve to humiliate or strip away our dignity and portray a crude image which does not do justice to our characters.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Why do people hear 'voices' in the woods?
Very often people are fearful of what lies in the woods as no one really know all its secrets or what lies in the murky darkness. As such, people's senses are on high alert and they listen carefully and look very keenly. Sometimes people imagine hearing sounds that are not there just because they expect something. People who expect to hear something will more often than not hear something and those who don't, very often see or hear nothing. People's minds easily play tricks on them, making them see invisible people and hear 'voices' out of thin air.
Another possible reason would be because the people could be bipolar or have some kind of psychotic disorder and should be medicated. Cases of not only hearing voices in the woods but also hearing 'voices' and having to 'obey' the 'voices' in normal surroundings have been documented. These such people could be dangerous to themselves and to others as they sometimes do not focus on reality or on common sense but on what the voices are telling them without regard for human life.
In the woods, hearing voices are most likely the effect of fear of what lies amidst the trees and what animals there are lying in wait for their prey. Those voices could simply be the scampering of small animals rushing to their homes, running away from humans or even the calm or strong breeze whistling through the trees.
Being careful is key. Thus, if you or anyone around you in the woods claims to be hearing voices, ask people around you or tell them whether their observation of hearing voices is accurate or not. If you alone are hearing those voices in the woods, it could be nature playing tricks on you and you should not worry about it but if they are telling you to kill yourself or others, then I sincerely advise you to visit a psychiatrist.
Another possible reason would be because the people could be bipolar or have some kind of psychotic disorder and should be medicated. Cases of not only hearing voices in the woods but also hearing 'voices' and having to 'obey' the 'voices' in normal surroundings have been documented. These such people could be dangerous to themselves and to others as they sometimes do not focus on reality or on common sense but on what the voices are telling them without regard for human life.
In the woods, hearing voices are most likely the effect of fear of what lies amidst the trees and what animals there are lying in wait for their prey. Those voices could simply be the scampering of small animals rushing to their homes, running away from humans or even the calm or strong breeze whistling through the trees.
Being careful is key. Thus, if you or anyone around you in the woods claims to be hearing voices, ask people around you or tell them whether their observation of hearing voices is accurate or not. If you alone are hearing those voices in the woods, it could be nature playing tricks on you and you should not worry about it but if they are telling you to kill yourself or others, then I sincerely advise you to visit a psychiatrist.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Why do we fear what we do not know?
Humans fear the unknown simply because they do not know what that person, animal or object is. People do not fear the dark but of what resides in the dark. Whether people are conscious of the fact of unconscious of it, knowledge is power and when someone thoroughly knows someone or something, the fear of that individual or thing subsides. Understanding a human grants someone the knowledge whether to know that he or she is kind or mean.
The only reason people fear killers is because they fear either death or as they do not know what the killer is going to do. It is for that reason that humans are delving so deep into the realms of science; trying to discover the unknown.
If the reason for cancer were discovered, less people would be so fearful of it for now they know it is either preventable or that it is not and come to terms with the reality that most times it is fatal and seldom cured. People fear death because they know not what lies after death; whether it is a beautiful, luscious heaven, reincarnation or terrifying hell.
Knowing something is half the battle won. When humans know what is going to happen on a roller coaster, more people would be willing to try it or conquer their fear of heights. Hardly anyone would be able to accept a challenge not knowing what that challenge is and would thus fear going into it.
Knowing something takes away anticipation, fear and gives us common sense on how to cope with that particular thing. Without knowledge of the particular thing we are undertaking, we flounder before it, trying to guess what is going to happen and worrying that we may not be able to succeed as
we all want to do well and prosper or at least survive everything thrown our way.
The only reason people fear killers is because they fear either death or as they do not know what the killer is going to do. It is for that reason that humans are delving so deep into the realms of science; trying to discover the unknown.
If the reason for cancer were discovered, less people would be so fearful of it for now they know it is either preventable or that it is not and come to terms with the reality that most times it is fatal and seldom cured. People fear death because they know not what lies after death; whether it is a beautiful, luscious heaven, reincarnation or terrifying hell.
Knowing something is half the battle won. When humans know what is going to happen on a roller coaster, more people would be willing to try it or conquer their fear of heights. Hardly anyone would be able to accept a challenge not knowing what that challenge is and would thus fear going into it.
Knowing something takes away anticipation, fear and gives us common sense on how to cope with that particular thing. Without knowledge of the particular thing we are undertaking, we flounder before it, trying to guess what is going to happen and worrying that we may not be able to succeed as
we all want to do well and prosper or at least survive everything thrown our way.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Thomas Jefferson writes about ideals he is willing to fight for to protect. What values would you defend most fiercely?
Values I would fight to defend would be freedom from any type of persecution particularly freedom of religion and speech. Say if another country would conquer mine, I would rebel against such an action but especially if it were to suddenly impose strict regulations on freedom of speech or demonstrations or even religion. If being conquered by any particular country or being under the current government would yield similar results as now, with more freedom for speech and religion, it would be acceptable to me and I probably would not fight as hard for my country's freedom than freedom of religion and speech. Freedom is a very gray line however and it is hard to draw a yardstick on where prosecution of these rights occur. For example, it would be legal to throw a shoe at Obama in the United States or to slander him publicly. In Malaysia, these actions would be considered uncivil and should not be condoned. Some countries such as Azerbaijan and China are also considered countries where there is active persecution of Christians and volunteers cross their borders to help the persecuted. Why I really believe in these two values is simply because not only are these values integral to an individual's self actualization but also to allow discourse among people of different or the same country which is important to allow the country to develop and grow.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
How do you determine if a particular speech is effective?
I determine if a particular speech is effective by listening to whether it is an informative speech. Based on what type of audience the speaker is addressing, I see whether the content and information in the speech is relevant. For example, if the speaker's topic is the solar system, I would deem his or her speech effective if he or she were to talk about the Milky Way and planets and whether or not the informative style is suitable for the people he or she is addressing. To me, his or her informative speech would be effective if it is simple to understand when addressing middle school students and slightly more advanced if addressing high school students.
Next, I would say a speaker's address is effective if it is entertaining. A speech in which half the audience is dozing off or gazing into the distance and not paying attention would not be an effective speech in my opinion. Even though, to me, a speaker has to have relevant chunks of information for the audience in his or her speech, a boring informative speech would not be effective because at the end of the day, hardly anyone would listen to the information being presented. Particularly for me, I think an entertaining speech with less information is more effective than a boring speech with a thesis from the University of Harvard.
I would also determine whether a particular speech is effective by rating how persuasive a speaker is. To me, if a person cannot persuade the audience that what he or she is presenting about is important, then he or she would not need to speak at all as no change would occur. To me, determining whether a speech is effective encompasses this particular detail because to me, speeches are all about change. The speaker wants the audience to be more vigilant to prevent snatch theft or to do their part to prevent global warming for example, and so that would be the purpose of the speech. To achieve that purpose, I believe that one has to be persuasive to get that message across. Therefore, I determine an effective speech by three main things that are whether the speech is informative, entertaining and persuasive for me.
Next, I would say a speaker's address is effective if it is entertaining. A speech in which half the audience is dozing off or gazing into the distance and not paying attention would not be an effective speech in my opinion. Even though, to me, a speaker has to have relevant chunks of information for the audience in his or her speech, a boring informative speech would not be effective because at the end of the day, hardly anyone would listen to the information being presented. Particularly for me, I think an entertaining speech with less information is more effective than a boring speech with a thesis from the University of Harvard.
I would also determine whether a particular speech is effective by rating how persuasive a speaker is. To me, if a person cannot persuade the audience that what he or she is presenting about is important, then he or she would not need to speak at all as no change would occur. To me, determining whether a speech is effective encompasses this particular detail because to me, speeches are all about change. The speaker wants the audience to be more vigilant to prevent snatch theft or to do their part to prevent global warming for example, and so that would be the purpose of the speech. To achieve that purpose, I believe that one has to be persuasive to get that message across. Therefore, I determine an effective speech by three main things that are whether the speech is informative, entertaining and persuasive for me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)